That's right, it's the spring of 414 BC, and two
frustrated citizens flee the chaos of Athens for the simple
life in the country where they join up with a bunch of birds
to build the paradise called Cloudcuckooland. "The Birds" is
a witty parody of civic life and responsibility by
Aristophanes that is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone
and feed your thoughts, said Lammel. "We want the audience
to leave breathless, laughing, light-hearted, delighted, and
amazed," she said.

Retaining elements from ancient Greece such as the style
of dress and much of Aristophanes' original script while
adding a decidedly modern twist, the cast and crew of "The
Birds" wants its audience to appreciate how much they still
have in common with the ancient Greek theatre goers who saw
the original play way back when. The design of the set as
well as the lighting are the handiwork of Jaye Beetem, new
faculty member in the Department of Theatre Arts. This is
Beteem's first year with the Theatre Department and she has
created a decaying, ancient Greek temple where the birds
have been cast off from mainstream society. "The set is
wonderful," said Lammel. "She has created a space that is
both fun for the actors to work in as well as enjoyable for
the audience."

Included in the production will be a Greek chorus, a
staple of any Greek play, although Lammel has taken some
liberties with the Greek chorus format for "The Birds." The
droning laments of a typical Greek chorus will be replaced
with singing and dancing that is more typical of a Broadway
production. "The Birds" will still have examples of what
many deem to be the more traditional manner of presenting
choral chanting and dancing, "but we'll also have Broadway
jazz dance, line dancing, and swing dancing," said Lammel.
Choreographers contributing to the production include Jarrah
Myles (who also does makeup for the production), Sheree
Henning, Giovanna Henery, and Lammel. In charge of costumes
for "The Birds" is Department of Theatre Arts costume
designer Sandra Barton, who has created a colorful array of
exotic costumes for the birds as well as the human
characters. "Sandra has done amazing work with character,
color and movement, making the costumes funny, whimsical,
sexy, silly, and imaginative -- it will be worth the price
of admission just to see them!"

"The Birds" will feature veteran CSU, Chico actor Jarrod
Rothstein in the lead role of Makemedo. Rothstein was the
star of the past two Chico State Spring Musicals, "The Will
Rogers Follies" in 2001 and "The Pajama Game" last spring.
Makemedo's right-hand man is Goodhope, played by Marcus
Sams, who also plays the roles of Heracles, Meton, and the
Priest. The leader of the land of the birds before Makemedo
and Goodhope get there is the Hoopoe, played by Troy Anthony
Harris, who also plays two other roles -- Poseidon and the
Prophet. Mike Anderson plays Prometheus, the Poet, and the
Lawyer. Key female characters include Procne the Hoopoe's
wife, Manes, Iris, and the Divine Princess, played by Nicole
Sershon, Ashley DeCarli, Jennifer Pfeiffer, and Ellen Wilcox
respectively. Lammel said she has tried to preserve the form
and the intent of Aristophanes' play. The process of
examining his play and researching the era in which it was
presented has led her to the conclusion that theatre in
Aristophanes' day is pretty much the same as theatre being
presented in 2002.

"We treasure this art form of Greek Theatre and its long
tradition. And we have all been so creative and
collaborative as we have worked to produce this fantastical
and delightful interpretation for our Chico audiences." "The
Birds" is being presented jointly by CSU, Chico's School of
the Arts and the Department of Theatre Arts. [from:
http://www.csuchico.edu/hfa/chicoarts/thebirdspr.html]

CAST

Makemedo

Jarrod Rothstein

Goodhope / Priestbird / Meton / Heracles

Marcus Sams

Servant Bird / Inspector / Jerkoffalot

Dusty Kimura

Hoopoe / Prophet / Poseidon

Troy Anthony Harris

Poet / Lawyer / Promethus

Mike Anderson

Chorus Leader

Taryne Moyse

Guard / Chorus Bird

Ginger Hanner

Messenger 1 / Chorus Bird

Katherine Nelson

Messenger 2 / Chorus Bird

Katie Suverkrop

Procne / Chorus Bird

Nicole Sershon

Manes

Ashley DeCarli

Iris

Jennifer Pfeifer

Divine Princess / Chorus Understudy

Ellen Wilcox

A long time ago and right now.
A ruined temple somewhere in Greece

Birds was first produced by Aristophanes in 414 B.C.E., at
the Dionysia Festival in the city of Athens.

"....ask the reader to imagine a dramatic combination of
the slapstick of The Three Stooges, the song and dance of a
Broadway musical, the verbal wit of W. S. Gilbert or of a
television show like Frasier, the exuberence of Mardi
Gras, the open-ended plot line of the Simpsons, the parody of
a Mel Brooks' movie, the political satire of Doonesbury,
the outrageous sexuality of The Rocky Horror Picture Show,
and the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien wrapped up in the format of a
Monty Python movie."

High thoughts must have high language. Aristophanes,
Frogs, 405 BCE

You have all the characteristics of a popular politition: a
horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.-- Aristophanes,
Knights, 424 BCE

Under every stone lurks a politician.-- Aristophanes,
Thesmophoriazusae, 410 BCE

Let each man exercise the art he knows.--Aristophanes,
Wasps, 422 BCE

This is what extremely grieves us, that a man who never fought
Should contrive our fees to pilfer, on who for his native land
Never this to this day had oar, or lance, or blister in his hand.
Aristophanes, Wasps, 422 BCE

2000b Dramaturgeand performed as "Dr.
Gaspard Jadin" & "Sewer Man" in the CSU, Chico Spring 2000
production of Jean Giradoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot (March
7-12), directed by Dr. Sue Pate. Please click here
for the makeup design of Dr. Jadin and here
for how it was eventually portrayed; and please click here
for the rendition of "Sewer Man" and here
for how it was eventually portrayed.

1999a Performed as "Reverend
Dr. Harper" in the Fall 1999 Encore!
(Chico Community Production) of Arsenic and Old Lace (November
5-14), directed by Gary Hibbs.

1999b Performed as "Ferapont
Spiridonych" in the CSU, Chico Spring 1999 production of
Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters, directed by Dr. Sue Pate
(March 10-14); please see here
for Sandra L. Barton's rendition of Ferapont and how portrayed).